GUNNISON, Colo. – Despite strong second and fourth quarters, the Western State Colorado University women's basketball team fell to Westminster College 50-70 in Paul Wright Gym.
 
Even with Samantha Coleman's second highest offensive tally on the season and a well-rounded game from Jessie Erickson, Western (3-5, 0-2 RMAC) could not overcome Westminster in their home opener. With several Mountaineers seeing substantial changes in their playing time, Western offered a different look in front of the home crowd. Without the services of several key players, Western made some lineup changes playing a guard heavy rotation. But one thing did not change for the Mountaineers – the ability of young players to rise to the occasion.
 
Coleman lead the Mountaineers for the first time this season with 11 points, four rebounds, and a block in 28 minutes of action. Erickson, displayed her versatility scoring 8 points, grabbing five rebounds, dishing out five assists along with two steals while staying on the court for 36 minutes of play. 
 
Western could not overcome a Westminster (2-4, 1-1 RMAC) offense that shot lights out in both halves, limiting the potential for a comeback. The Griffins also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 26 points off 19 Western turnovers.
 
A hot-shooting Griffins team got the best of the Mountaineers in the first quarter as they ran their lead to 14 with 2:33 remaining in the first. But a late surge and crucial three-point basket by Katelynn Martinez would end the first with Western down 24-16.
 
In the third, Western nearly equaled the output of Westminster as they cut the lead to five before hitting the half down 39-30.
 
But Western's office stagnated in the third quarter and Westminster pulled away closing out the frame with a 16-point lead, 52-36.
 
The Mountaineers made a push in the fourth quarter, but it would not be enough to overcome the anemic third quarter.
 
Western returns to action next weekend on the road versus Adams State University and Fort Lewis College.